APC Drags Aregbesola to Court for Allegedly Causing Faction in the Party

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dragged former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, to a Federal High Court in Osogbo for allegedly causing faction in the party.

The APC, through its counsel, Ayodele Kusamotu,  Yemi Akingbade, R.I.O Oloyede and B.J Nwayen, asked the court to declare that Aregbesola cannot validly lead suspended members of the party and other persons associating with them to launch a political faction and parallel group named Omoluabi Progressives within the party.

APC contended  that the said launching of a factional political group or party within the party with the use of the party’s logo, symbol and slogan is considered to have contravened the Constitution of Nigeria and party’s constitution.

The party said Aregbesola has no constitutional power to launch a factional group within the party, thereby sought an order of the court to proscribe and prohibit the factional group within APC in Osun State.

The party also asked the court to restrain Aregbesola and his supporters from further forming any factional group or any parallel association within the party.

This was contained in suit number: FHC/OS/CS/1/2024 filed before a Federal High Court in the Osogbo Judiciary Division.

In the suit, the APC joined the former Governor Aregbesola and three others, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hon Rasheed Olalekan Afolabi, and Mr. Lani Baderinwa.

The court process in the originating summons, which was dated January 4, 2024, was obtained by THISDAY yesterday.

The plaintiff sought the following reliefs upon consideration of questions for determination:  “That the second defendant cannot validly lead the 3rd and 4th defendants who are suspended members of the plaintiff or any other person or persons to form a parallel political association or group within a similar or same name of the plaintiff by using the plaintiff’s logo, symbol and slogan without registration with the first defendant in compliance with the provisions of Section 221 and 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and provisions of Sections 75(1)(2)(3) and 79(1)(2)(3)(a)(b)(c) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“That 2nd  to 4th defendants cannot launch a parallel political or a factional political group or association similar or in a same name of the plaintiff to be holding political meeting with the logo, symbol, and slogan of the plaintiff without registration with the 1st defendant in compliance with the provisions of Sections 221 and 222 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and provisions of Sections 75(1)(2)(3) and 79(1)(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant from attending or recognising or accepting any congress or convention held or to be held by the 2nd -4th defendants and any other persons associating with them in their factional and parallel political group or association for the purpose of inaugurating or constituting the Executive Council or Committee of the plaintiff at any level or nominating candidates for any elective positions under the provisions of the Constitution the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in the name or on the platform of the plaintiff.

“An order prohibiting the illegal factional and parallel association of the 2nd  to 4th defendants launched as Omoluabi Progressives (APC) in similar or same name of the plaintiff impersonating the plaintiff’s registered logo, symbol, and slogan to function as a political group.

“General damages of N5 million jointly or severally against the 2nd -4th defendants in favour of the plaintiff.

“Cost of action at N 2 million jointly or severally against the 2nd -4th defendants in favour of the plaintiff and 10 percent  interest on the judgment sum until final liquidation.”

Aregbesola had recently launched Omoluabi Progressives within the fold of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, and reassured his members of his commitment to the progressive ideals.